Christian Articles to Edify Folks

An Approved Servant of The Lord (Part 2)

The Right Attitude Toward God’s Word

The Apostle Paul, writng in 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that “ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God…” The Christian who desires to be “An Approved Servant of God” must hold this view of God’s Word.

We have been blessed and privileged by our Creator to know His very thoughts and desire for us. The Word of God is His “love-letter” to us, His children. Just as we would cherish a letter from a loved one, especially one who is away from us, whether at school, in the service, or just living so far away it is hard to see each other too often; we will want to refer to that letter often.

Today we have the means to stay “in touch” via e-mail and social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter. We also can see our loved ones and friends via Skype and Face Time. But it is not the same as seeing each other in person.

We have not seen our Heavenly Father, the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and will not until we meet Jesus “in the air” (1 Thes. 4:16-18) or when He calls us home via death. The Word of God promises us that if we are Christians who have accepted Jesus and been baptized into Christ, we can and do share, together with fellow believers, the assurance that one day we will live eternally with the Lord.

If we accept God’s Word as True and authoritative we will have have the right attitude toward the Word of God. We will want to learn more of it ourselves, as well as help others in their pilgrimage.

Timothy is commended by Paul in 2 Timothy 3:14-15 because of his love for, and dedication to the Old Testament Scriptures. Paul tells him and all Christians that we must have the right attitude when it comes to God’s Word.

In 2 Timothy 3:16-18, Paul sets forth some guidelines for our approach to studying the Word of God. He assumes that we will be reading the Bible on a regular basis, not just to say that we have fulfilled our requirement to read a certain number of verses or chapters today, although it is good to be on a regular reading schedule.

A few months ago, I was privileged to listen to the podcast of the Bear Valley Church of Christ in Denver, CO. They had a Wednseday evening class on Bible Exegesis, taught by Denny Petrillo and Michael Hite. It was about 2 quarters long. They taught these principles in a way that all could understand and in a way that we could apply them in way to “dig deeper” into God’s Word. The key concept that Paul is endeavoring to get across to Timothy and us is that the “key word” in this passage is “Scripture.”

What was Paul trying to get across about Scripture? The text gives us 2 observations. The first being that it is given by inspiration and the second that it is profitable.

Paul gives us 4 points about the profitability of Scripture. He does this by using the word “for” before each one. His aim is that Christians may be fully equipped for service. The Christian with the Bible in his or her hands is ready for service.

Paul assumes that we accept the fact that the Word of God is inspired. So, what is Scripture profitable for. It is profitable for:

Doctrine

Reproof

Correction

Instruction in righteousness

If we will utilize the principles here in 2 Timothy 3:15-16 we will have the proper attitude toward God’s Word and be equipped to be “An Approved Servant of the Lord” We need to remember that we must desire and want to grow in the Lord and in His Word. He will not force us to, but if we avail ourselves of all the resources He has for us, we can and will “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus…” (2 Peter 3:18)